News

9 November 2010

 

RFMD adds 75W device to family of GaN unmatched power transistors

RF Micro Devices Inc of Greensboro, NC, USA has production released the RF3932, a 75W highly efficient gallium nitride (GaN) RF unmatched power transistor (UPT) that delivers what is claimed to be superior performance versus competing gallium arsenide (GaAs) and silicon power technologies.

The RF3932 follows the launch in October of the 140W RF3934 (the highest output power device in the firm’s UPT family). RFMD plans to release a third GaN UPT device in first-quarter 2011, significantly expanding the GaN power transistor options available to its customers.

RFMD says that its GaN unmatched power transistors support ‘green’ architectures that reduce energy consumption, improve thermal management, and optimize network efficiency for network operators. The RF3932 operates over a broad frequency range (DC to 3GHz) and delivers high peak efficiency of >65%. It also incorporates simple, optimized matching networks external to the package, providing wideband gain and power performance advantages in a single amplifier.

The RF3932 is packaged in a hermetic, flanged ceramic two-leaded package that leverages RFMD's heat sink and power dissipation technologies to deliver what is claimed to be excellent thermal stability and conductivity. The 75W RF3932 and the 140W RF3934 are optimal for both driver and/or output stages, depending on overall power requirements.

RFMD’s GaN-based product portfolio supports diverse end-markets, says Bob Van Buskirk, president of the firm’s Multi-Market Products Group (MPG). “We look forward to introducing additional GaN devices that feature superior power density, high efficiency, rugged dependability and ‘green’ power consumption advantages,” he adds.

RFMD says that its 48V high-power-density GaN process features a combination of high RF power density and efficiency, low capacitance, and high thermal conductivity, enabling the development of compact and efficient high power amplifiers (HPAs) for a broad range of applications, including private mobile radio (PMR), 3G/4G wireless infrastructure, ISM (industrial scientific & medical), military and civilian radar, and CATV transmission networks

RFMD is showcasing its portfolio of RF components at this week’s electronica 2010 trade show in Munich Germany (9–12 November). 

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